Category: The V.U.

This beauty was requested by one of you and it’s a pleasure to be featured here at 0dayrox: “Phoenix Rising“., the album recorded by THE V.U., a project featuring Journey and future The Storm members. Originally recorded in 1985, the album was shelved due no label interest in releasing it. How they didn’t get a record deal at the time is beyond me, simply because these tunes are pure 1984/85 sounding US Melodic Rock / AOR in the vein of Journey, Survivor, Foreigner, etc.
Fortunately, Frontiers Records some time finally released this little gem for all us to enjoy. However, it’s out of print now so be prepared for expensive remaining copies.
This is a brilliant, exuberant, vibrant collection of AOR gems from the US best years (1984/86) in my humble opinion. Standout tracks in ‘Keys To The City’, ‘Dreaming Your Life Away’ and the show closer ‘So Long’, but heck, all are delicious.

Here’s a wonderful request: formed by Journey member Ross Valory in 1989 while the band was on hiatus, THE STORM released 2 stupendous, Essential AOR albums, including legendary Gregg Rollie into the line up and the excellent Kevin Chalfant at the mic. Produced by Beau Hill, “The Storm” is their debut album, a delicious collection of American AOR songs of the highest order.
The band featured three of Journey’s former members (two of whom were founding members) – Gregg Rolie as keyboardist, Ross Valory on bass, and Steve Smith on drums. Kevin Chalfant, who had a #12 chart hit in 1982 as lead vocalist with AOR band 707, was lead vocalist (Rolie also shared lead vocalist duties), and Josh Ramos (who cited Journey founder and guitarist Neal Schon as a major influence) was chosen lead guitarist…